‘Surprisingly’: The Final Book in the Playing for Hearts Series

This week is special for me, because Surprisingly, the 5th and final book in the Playing For Hearts series released. So, first off, I want to say thank you to Crimson Romance for believing in this series, for spending the last eighteen months helping me get the books out to my readers, and supporting me. Every step along the way has been wonderful!

What’s better than one hot jock? A group of hot jocks together.

I’m not sad to see the series ending. Quite the opposite, really. I’ve lived with these guys for a long time. I’ve seen what happens after the book ends (and so will readers!). It’s all good, and I’m thrilled that readers can now have all five books to enjoy too.

Each book features a different couple, a happily ever after, a different world. But the core group of athletes/friends remain throughout the series. Readers get to catch up on what is going on in their lives, and how life changes when romance enters, marriage enters, and even a baby enters the equation. Just like real life.

I’m going to share an excerpt that shows how the group of friends have stuck together and supported each other throughout the series. Here’s a phone conversation between Bruce and Dominic (he’s in book 2)…

Excerpt from Surprisingly:

“I’m going to tell you something that’s going to f*cking blow your mind, man.” He lowered his voice, because although he was alone in the middle of the night, in a parking garage, he’d never told a living soul what he was feeling about Crista and for some reason that left him filled with adrenaline and wanting to shout it to the world. He also knew he had to tell Crista first, but he had to try it out on someone else…to be safe. To know if he could even say the words outloud. “I’m falling in love with Crista.”

Dead. Silence.

“Uh…” Dominic chuckled. “Do you want me to call for a taxi to come pick you up?”

He dug the heel of his shoe into the bumper of the car. “I’m not drunk. I’m at Crista’s…out in the parking garage. Alone, because she wants to have sex with me.”

More silence. “Okay, I’m going to hang up and fly over there. Buddy, you need help.”

“Dammit. I’m not drinking. I’m not delusional. I don’t want to go anywhere, and I sure in the hell don’t want you flying over here,” he said.

“Are you telling me you want to have sex with Crista?” Dominic asked.

He closed his eyes for a few beats. Dominic was always slow when it came to women. “Yeah, Dominic, I want Crista.”

“I…honestly, don’t know what to tell you. Are you sure you don’t want to talk to Diana about this? She’s usually the one who has the best advice when it comes to relationships, and—Crista and you? Seriously?” Dominic said.

His free hand came down and his back straightened. “What do you mean by that?”

“She’s our friend,” Dominic said. “Hell, she’s one of us.”

“So?”

“We’ve all slept with her.” Dominic lowered his voice.

“What?” Bruce bellowed, his throat closing up on him.

“You know, when we’ve shared hotel rooms and crashed during benefit dinners. Not sexual. We’re friends. Friends don’t have sex. It messes up the universe and brings bad—what does Diana call it—karma or mojo down on you. Maybe you’re horny. You should go out and find a different woman. Don’t hurt Crista.”

He inhaled deeply and held his breath. Dominic understood English, but he wasn’t listening to him. He blew out his breath and talked at the same time. “I think I love-love her.”

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